[Trust on-line]

I don't think you're wrong Jason. I think you have made a valid cae for first names.I am Des and my last name is not Downunder (surprise!) I am fairly well out, but I have come to the conclusion that last names are not needed on the net. I know we can be traced but there is no need for us to help them.Using my first name gives me a sense of sharing myself honestly, which is important for me. I hope that is enough for a mutual trust to work with other people I meet on the net.Up to the present I haven't had any real problems other than the usual communication problems that occur because we aren't in the same room reading each other's body language; or being able to instantly correct a statement misunderstood.My Aussie irreverent sense of humour also seems to get me into trouble, but by and large the cultural differences between each of us can be negotiated without too much shock and horror if we remember that we may not all think the same just because we have some common interests. Sometimes difficult. I generally reveal my age and sometimes that I have a long term partner. Both of these render me less likely to be approached by anyone other than homophobes who want to disembowel me for my orientation, or someone trying to save my heathen soul. Of course I could get lucky and find someone who wants to do both. (That was an example of irreverent Aussie humour.) I would tell any one at any age to not be picked up via the net even though I've heard of romances having started that way. Too risky. As far as your nick is concerned, Camy, has a charm and emu-ish appeal that conjures delightful images of inquiring innocence with integrity.So I think I can see that real first names are not always essential.

[(16) YIM-ing]

Thanks Trab.

[Trust on-line]

Camy, I asked a similar question back in January and received several replies which led me to feel It was prudent to remain behind the safety of a nickname. You can see my original thread with replies at:http://www.awesomedude.com/adboard/index.php?showtopic=2179Note Blue's reply towards the end. Very good. I was feeling and still do feel much the way you indicate you are feeling about trusting people. I want to be upfront and open.I now know several on-line people who have revealed their real names to me as I have to them.We have done this after we exchanged our thoughts and views on a variety of subjects.We became comfortable with each other. Never the less I would not reveal my personal address details or phone numbers to anyone, nor would I ask for any one's details.If I were wanting to actually meet someone from the net, it would be in a public place, preferably with at least someone I know present.I would definitely set up a phone-in, "I'm OK," at a specific time with a friend.Getting back to trust; I think there are degrees of trust that one builds up with people on the net and in the forums.However, we can never be certain our trust is not being used for some other purpose. There are some pretty tricky dudes out there. Also we cannot be sure who is actually seeing our posts. What lurker is just sitting behind his computer waiting to pounce on those of us who like to trust strangers. At my age if someone under 55 or over 70 asks me for example, if I would like to dance, the first thing I do is make sure my wallet is safe. When your young the dangers are even greater because the range of predators is wider and better concealed from your hopes and desires. I might be inclined to trust anyone about a common interest, such as their advice on computers or their ideas of a good book or movie or even there philosophies of life. I would not trust them to look after my bank account for me for the weekend. Don't laugh people have been this naive and have sent their bank details to people they have never met.I have a special bank account I use for net purchases. It only has a $100 in it. So if any one finds out the numbers and bypasses the security I will only lose this weeks shopping money. So I look upon my nickname in the same way as that bank account. It is a measure of security in my protection from being hurt.There is always the danger that people we would like to know might not be trusting of us because we "hide behind a nickname."Worse still, we might be judged wrongly as a certain kind of person because we use a nick. That cannot be helped it is the price we pay for our safety.We can only hope that the nature of our posts reveals the integrity of personalities. Even that can however be misinterpreted.Ask yourself this, How do you know I haven't said all of the above to lull you into a false sense of security that you can trust me?You don't. Finally you must rest upon your own assessments, but please be careful.

[(15) Which Story?]

I am pleased to see that 12 people have now voted for the stories because that tells me that 12 people have read my little effort. I like to know that is happening. If another twelve were to read them then maybe the voting would be different. Either way, for me the voting is more for the readers than for the authors.

Yes but all it tells you is that 12 people were motivated to vote. I suspect more people actually READ them.

And that brings us back to why I wanted to encourage them to vote.I'm sure more people read than the twelve.

[(15) Which Story?]

Yes I know too what you mean WBMS,Lee Falk, the creator of the Phantom comic book character, admitted he loved getting letters from readers who had picked out a mistake, a continuity error or other such inconsistency. Not the least of these is the fact that the Phantom has been going since 1936 and if the character was, say, then in his twenties he would be now nearly 100 years old and yet still manages to fight evil all around the world. Must be that jungle living, or perhaps Lee Falk has been having us on and the Phantom really is The Ghost who Walks. I am pleased to see that 12 people have now voted for the stories because that tells me that 12 people have read my little effort. I like to know that is happening.If another twelve were to read them then maybe the voting would be different. Either way, for me the voting is more for the readers than for the authors.

[Time zones]

You think you have it bad? Here I am from a time zone of my own somewhere in the future where everyone loves everybody else and I decided to rough it for a naughty weekend in the mid 20th Century, some 63 years ago and I've been stuck here ever since because the time-zone machine materialised me in a baby's body at the moment of its birth.I paid to be materialised as a great 1940's Hollywood film star for a naughty weekend and what did I get to be; a descendant of a British colonial petty criminal who ran off to sail the seven seas, leaving me in state of abject poverty. The only good thing was I could still be gay. The time-zone machine is broke with no way to fix it and I have had to sit here in the Aussie colonies listening to inane theories of the meaning of life revolving around fast cars, sport or getting drunk or all three.Don't talk to me about time-zones. Oh well the men are cute.

[(15) Which Story?]

AAAAargh!

[(15) Which Story?]

Trab I agree with you 100%When I said interaction, I meant that the readers could feel they have a connection with the author in the fun sense you mention.I should have been more clear. I was also trying to convey that interaction between authors and readers may inspire more people to try their hand at writing or whatever creative pursuit appeals to them to try. The generosity of authors in discussing their works has certainly been of help and encouragement to me in trying my hand at writing.It might be nice to win an award or a trophy for one's work, but if creating a work to win something is the reason for doing it then I think we might be inviting mediocrity to influence the results. I love to get feedback from readers and so far have not received any suggestions that I find intrudes on my creativity. Great artists have been ridiculed in their own time, causing much despair. Tchaikovsky comes to mind as well as Bruckner. Both were extremely harsh critics of their own works. Bruckner even went as far as ripping up some of his completed works.Any artist needs someone to show appreciation of their work. I hate to think how much good work has been abandoned by artists who were wrongly told their works were no good. I also despair at praise being given to poor work. This is a really difficult area. The worst thing you can do is tell someone with talent they should get an ordinary job so that they have "something to fall back on." This can remove the impetus to create.The next worst thing you can do is tell someone without talent not to get a job to fall back on.The trick is to see the difference. Damn difficult if not impossible. I also believe that teams are for sports and then only some of them.The artist must not be coerced into feeling obligated to abide by demands beyond his own internal aspirationsIt is fine to influence an artist in the form of inspiration to create, but the act of creation must remain the artist's domain alone.Otherwise we end up with the old adage of "A camel is a horse designed by a committee." An artist may of course invite the assistance of others as happens in film-making, but even then the director retains his sovereignty over his work. (Well at least until the financiers tell him to change it, but that is another story.)Creativity is a complex process. It has its own dynamic for growth in each person, often continually changing direction. Different artists do require different motivations. It is not always easy to define those differences or motivations. I agree the poll is a fun thing so long as it does not become the main objective of the author's reason for writing. I really wanted to see more voters so people would feel involved in the whole story idea as a fun thing to do. If completing a story becomes the next big competition idea of the television networks I will run screaming from it.

[Don't crush their little ribs.]

I didn't think it meaningless at all,In fact it made me feel guilty for not laughing at myself and my hopes desires more often. I must have a look at my horror-scope.

[(15) Which Story?]

Good. Thanks Camy and Trab. It is great you voted. Glad you like the stories. I had less difficulty in voting. I don't mind who wins. I am happy to see so many involved in the idea. It encourages reader and author interaction.

[Too many blogs]

Camy,I see your signature line now states,"An Emu of little brain"You shouldn't put yourself down like that; that's our job. Besides I would have thought the correct phrase was, "A brainy little Emu."

[Too many blogs]

Yay! It's working. I had trouble posting a comment earlier.I don't remember what I was going to comment about except to welcome you Camy to this blogging world.Trab and Jason seem to have used up all the best lines anyway. like Trab I use my blog to rant and rave. I try to do it with as much incoherence as possible, with dignity of course. oh dear did I just step into an Emu egg?

[(14) At the Video store]

Gee Camy, sorry if I have shocked you.

[Daniel and I part ways]

Riiiight! It's not the contents in the list that concern me, it's making the catalogue itself which is somewhat of a concern.Though I must admit 37 watches? That seems a bit too much time to me. If I were to make a list where would I start? With my baby clothes? Okay I guess they could go, I probably won't wear them again. But I am not throwing out my religious T-shirts, you know the ones with the holes in them. (Holy T-shirts, Batman!)As we are talking clothes and getting into trouble, remember what Zorba the Greek said, "To be alive is to take off your pants and look for trouble." Have fun in your new abode Jason.

[(12) Useless Ramblings]

WBMS, that will depend on what you want me to clean.My partner fell about the floor laughing when I told him you thought I was domesticated.Then He added "I wish." He can get his own supper. Our water situation is quite serious. We may have to import food.Hell, its not as if the various doomsayers have not been warning governments for the last ten years. Anyone want to pass some of their water onto us Aussies? Oh no, what have I said?

[(11) My turn]

Camy,I don't know the answer to your question, but I suspect some very strange things are going on and if your not careful you may fall fowl to them. I advise covering the keyboard just in case or at least covering your head.

[(11) My turn]

Are you people humping in my blog?

[(9) Discovering the right frame of mind]

Ah Trab, WBMS, You both seem to know exactly how I feel.

[(8) Indian Summer in Adelaide]

I guess you could call me an agnostic, bordering on atheist.

We are similar Trab, I'm an atheist bordering on being agnostic.I was raised a Christian so I know the stories and I saw all the big Hollywood religious epics! Thankfully my mom was not keen on church so I went through a religious phase that just happened to end at puberty.

[A Few More Sentences]

I agree with Trab, very powerful and well written, Jason.Too many times people acquire (even unwittingly) control over another by giving them what they want or need.As Trab points out:"There is a core 'you' in everyone, and it must, MUST, be protected at all costs, even at the cost of ones life; to do any less is mental suicide." To hijack this thread for moment, it is this very point that so many employers do not understand. They may be providing payment for work done, but that is not to say we should surrender our souls to them. Each of us is responsible for our own survival and integrity. Neither should we stop being ourselves just to please someone else.That doesn't mean we do not make self sacrifices for others it just means we should take care not to commit mental or spiritual suicide to fit in with someone else's desires or demands. Great stuff Jason, Trab.Excellent thoughts from you both.

[(8) Indian Summer in Adelaide]

Trab, I am considered a heathen in the South for my views as above and the fact that I am one. hehe.But I am a bit confused, "Crucifixions at Christmas?"Really I don't mind if we all carry on a bit weird, after all it is the "silly season" as we call it in Australia.It's just if you were in orbit in the Mother-ship (cloaked of course), you might have a tendency to ask, "What, on Earth, are they up to now?"

[(8) Indian Summer in Adelaide]

Thanks Jason,I don't mind off topic.I understand exactly what you are feeling Jason.It is difficult to understand how one part of the Earth is in winter whilst the other is summer.Think about our Aussie Christmas, where many Northern hemisphere immigrants from UK and Europe are intent on eating a Christmas dinner of hot roast beef, turkey and ham, baked vegetables, followed by plum pudding laden with brandy sauce, custard and whipped cream, whilst the sun is beating down in temperatures of anything up to 105*F (over 40*C).The only snow for a few thousand miles is that which comes out of pressure pack can to decorate store and house windows so that everything looks like Christmas in the North.Nuts!And poor old Santa in his thick red suit with flowing beard with howling brats all dressed up in their formal Sunday best clothes to see Santa in his lair. It's a wonder Santa hasn't had a heat stroke.

[(8) Indian Summer in Adelaide]

For what it's worth, my best sleep is often as the sun comes up and darkness is no more. That was very beautiful Des, and no, it's no wonder you don't sleep. I think you need to figure out how to turn off your mind for a few hours.

Trab, if I turn it off I might not get it started again.It was hard enough getting it going the first time and still isn't running right. I know what you mean about sleeping as the sun comes up, I do that.

[Alternative Interjections]

Quote:"Aw, Matt Lauer."Could you possibly sink any lauer?

[(7) Posted New Story]

Yes Trab, I know what you mean about waiting for the other shoe to drop.I was constrained by time to get it finished before April 1 and had to settle for an ending that while okay I felt could have developed further.Glad you like Jacques, he became my favourite character as well. I might add he wrote his own lines as the opportunity arose. Thanks for the most welcome comment.